Sounding Off: Best Southwest readers tell us if they think Dallas gives enough money to the Parks Department

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Photo by REX C. CURRY/DMN Special Contributor

Amy Garrido, 8, jumps rope during Molina Healthcare’s family fun event at Kidd Springs Park in Oak Cliff. The city of Dallas’ park score The city of Dallas’ park score fell again in a rating of nationwide parks.

The city of Dallas’ park score fell again this year, according to the Trust for Public Land, which ranks parks nationwide. Dallas is currently No. 36 out of the 60 scored. Do you think the city’s parks should be more of a focus? Does the Parks Department get enough city resources to adequately care for neighborhood parks?

Susan Oakey, Dallas: This is a great question. I do not have a park within 10 minutes of my home, however, I do have a lot of stray and homeless dogs within 10 minutes. That is why, while I could possibly see increasing park funding if the city had a surplus, I would rather my tax dollars go to the animal shelter, which is currently receiving less than $6 per resident. It is sobering to me that while Dallas is having to euthanize half the animals that come into the shelter. Austin, which spends about twice as much per resident on its shelter, is a no-kill city. So more and better parks would be great, but fewer dead animals would be even better.

E.B. Pope, Lancaster: I regularly visit Dallas parks. I especially enjoy using several Dallas Parks and Recreation city pools. Parks and green spaces are essential for residents’ entertainment needs and well-being. More resources should be allocated for this important work.

Fred Knight, Duncanville: Since I live in Duncanville, I can only speak to them. The big problem I see is taxpayers pay for parks, that only a chosen few can use. A great portion of our parks are put under lock and key, for the privileged to use. In fact a citizen can be fined just for walking on their precious park land.

Gary Moon, Duncanville: I believe our taxpayer money in this present economy would be better used to improve our roadways, rather than to add more amenities to our local parks. The park budget should be set to account for basic maintenance and upkeep only.

Jennifer Jonsson, Gaston Park: What the parks need — and what every city department needs — are more people. City departments cut personnel to the bone during the recession and those positions have not all been restored. I’d like to see the city go on a hiring binge so that the parks department — and every other department — can adequately do its job.

Jim West, Ferris: Indeed, they should. Neighborhoods come and go, but parks are there for generations and for that reason alone, they contribute to a sense of community that otherwise would be completely lost.

Charles Taylor, Oak Cliff: I think most of the city parks within my area are fair. However, the hours of operation leave a lot to be desired. Keeping this in mind, I think Dallas should increase spending on parks — especially where older citizens use the walks and recreation centers. Due to transportation needs it is hard for some seniors to make use of parks in their area.

Donna Barnes, Duncanville: I think it’s sad that parks and other things that any city provides suffer because other things take priority. Of course, we need police, fire and emergency workers. But I think that parks add to the well-being of a city. I know it can be expensive to maintain a park, but I would support a bond election if there is a need. And looking at the maps of parks in Dallas shows that there is a need not only to maintain but add new parks, especially in walking distance. In my city of Duncanville, we have some really nice parks that are sufficiently maintained. Of course, there is always a problem of people not putting trash in the trash cans at any park I would imagine. I go to a particular park almost every day in Duncanville and just about every day I pick up trash. Needless to say, I love this park and I think that citizens in any city should do their part in maintaining our parks. Otherwise, city leaders might think twice about adding new parks. All of us should do our part and city leaders will be more open to adding and maintaining our parks.

Thomas L. Allen, Lancaster: Parkland isn’t a necessity. Privately-developed property bears the burden of taxation and supports a city’s true priorities: police protection, fire protection, street maintenance, water supply, sewage treatment and solid waste disposal. Transferring that private property to the public sector only makes the tax burden heavier on the private property that remains subject to taxation. If there are deficiencies among the city’s true priorities, a city should not spend money purchasing and developing more public spaces. I have used my city’s parks and open spaces for several years. On my regular weekend walks, it has been my consistent observation that there is very low demand for and an excess supply of open space. I consistently see empty pavilions and picnic tables, empty park benches, empty tennis courts, empty sidewalks, empty walking trails, empty baseball diamonds and empty plaza areas. I seldom encounter a single individual during my walks. By contrast, I see driveways full of cars. Obviously, people prefer air conditioning and indoor entertainment and recreation. It’s pointless to give them what they obviously don’t want or need.

Douglas Rose, Grand Prairie: Funding for public parks is an essential investment for our American way of life. Gone are the days when our children could play outside in the yards and streets safely. If we don’t fund the parks adequately, we will be forced to fund correction centers for youth who find criminal ways to spend their spare time.

Rayanna Talley, South Dallas: The parks in our part of Dallas are some of the nicest parks in town, I believe. They are taken care of on a regular basis. The equipment may be older than some places, but kids are able to slide, swing, see-saw, take a spin on the whirl, climb on the jungle gyms, play tennis, have a soccer game, practice football and cheerleading, shoot baskets in pick-up games, run through spray-water areas and swim in pools, walk/hike the trails, practice baseball and enjoy the great outdoors with our families and friends or at a party or celebration.

I’m reasonably sure the city of Dallas could use more open land for parks or park-like areas. In actuality, it looks as if Dallas will make up lots of that from putting parks in the downtown area as the population increases within that area. I’m not so sure how much per capita is spent on green lands is as important as how well the areas are used and maintained. The accessibility for each part of the communities involved would also be a factor. Very few parks in Dallas will have the glitz of White Rock Lake, Flag Pole Hill or Klyde Warren Park, but all are accessible to their unique areas. Take your children, yourself and friends out for a game, picnic or a bit of sun today.

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